Capital Update – For the Week Ending Dec. 20, 2024

House Passes Bill Authorizing ‘Beagle Brigade’

What happened: Following unanimous Senate passage last month, the “Beagle Brigade Act” was approved on Wednesday by the House on a 381-20 vote. It authorizes the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Detector Dog Training Center, which trains beagles and other dogs to detect at U.S. ports of entry food, plants, and other host material that can carry foreign pests and diseases. The bill now goes to President Biden to be signed into law.

NPPC strongly supported the “Beagle Brigade Act” to permanently authorize the training center, which has been operating under USDA’s general authority over animal and plant health, with funding through user fees.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uses dogs at ports of entry to spot contraband fruits, vegetables, and meat products in international passenger baggage, mailed packages, and vehicles entering the United States. On a typical day, CBP seizes more than 4,600 plants, meat, and animal byproducts that must be quarantined and, in most cases, destroyed.

In addition to authorizing and funding the dog training center, the legislation also requires USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to report to Congress in one year on current and emerging threats to domestic agricultural and natural resources from foreign pests and diseases; improvements needed in federal programs to minimize disease threats, including better coordination among APHIS, CBP, and other federal agencies; and recommendations for strengthening the capabilities of the training center in protecting against foreign pests and diseases.

NPPC’s take: NPPC strongly supports the “Beagle Brigade Act,” which funds and provides congressional authorization for the Newnan, Georgia, dog training center.

“American agriculture relies on the Beagle Brigade to prevent the introduction of foreign animal and plant diseases that would cripple our food supply,” said Lori Stevermer, NPPC president and pork producer from Easton, Minnesota. “For the pork industry, it’s the first line of defense for keeping threats from foreign animal diseases, such as African swine fever, out of the United States.”

Why it matters: Foreign diseases and pests carried into the United States cost the country $138 billion annually in economic and environmental losses, according to USDA. NPPC is particularly concerned about African swine fever reaching the U.S. mainland. In July 2021, the pig-only disease was detected on the Caribbean island of Hispaniola, just 750 miles from U.S. shores.

NPPC ‘Deeply Disappointed’ Congress Didn’t Pass New Farm Bill

What happened: The 118th Congress adjourned Friday after approving a continuing resolution (CR) that keeps the government operating and extends the 2018 Farm Bill but fails to address problems created by California’s Proposition 12. NPPC expressed disappointment that lawmakers didn’t pass a new Farm Bill this year and did not fix Prop. 12 in the extension.

The 2018 Farm Bill expired at midnight Sept. 30, 2023. It was extended for an additional year last November. The extension expires at the end of the 2025 fiscal year – Sept. 30. It includes $10 billion in aid for farmers who incurred losses due to weather and/or market-related events.

NPPC’s take: “Pork producers do not have the luxury of waiting for Congress to pass a new, five-year Farm Bill next year,” said NPPC President Lori Stevermer, a pork producer from Easton, Minnesota. “After years of losing money and forcing family farms out of business, we needed the certainty [of a new Farm Bill] to make decisions yesterday. Congress’ complete disregard and inability to adequately provide assurance for producers is sure to make this a bleak holiday season for many farming families across the country.”

Why it matters: The five-year Farm Bill sets farm, conservation, forestry, and nutrition policy and authorizes various agricultural programs, including ones related to foreign animal disease preparation and prevention and export promotion. Additionally, the new Farm Bill must fix Prop. 12, which took effect Jan. 1, 2024, and has increased pork production operating costs, creating business uncertainty and raising consumer pork prices. NPPC’s Stevermer addressed Prop. 12’s problems in a recent Fox News interview.

Pork Industry Champions to Serve as Ag Committees’ New Leaders

What happened: Three of the four leadership roles on the Senate and House agriculture committees are expected to be filled by new members in the 119th Congress.

With Republicans taking control of the Senate next year, Sen. John Boozman (R-AR) will move from ranking member to chairman of the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) will become the ranking member, taking over the Democrats’ top spot from retiring Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI).

In the House, Republicans and Chairman Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) will remain in control of the committee. The new ranking member on the committee will be Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN).

NPPC’s take: All four leaders have been advocates for pork producers, and NPPC looks forward to maintaining and strengthening its strong relationships.

Why it matters: Leaders of the Senate and House committees set the agendas, control the calendars for the various panels, and approve witnesses for hearings.

NPPC Seeks Comment Period Extension on EPA Air Emission Draft Models

What happened: On November 14 – nearly 20 years after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) entered into historic Air Consent Agreements (ACA) with livestock producers – the agency released a series of proposed Emission Estimating Methodologies for public comment. Once finalized, these models will trigger a series of obligations for livestock producers who signed ACAs. EPA’s deadline to submit comments is February 17, 2025.

Following a meeting of the NPPC Environmental Policy Committee (EPC) with EPA’s Office of Air Quality and Planning Standards in North Carolina last week, NPPC led a coalition of livestock and poultry groups Friday in requesting EPA to extend the comment period 180 days. The coalition emphasized the need for sound science in the models and protection of farmers’ due process rights.

EPA emissions estimating methodologies stem from data gathered during the 2008-2009 National Air Emissions Monitoring Study (NAEMS), which involved producers entering legally binding “air compliance agreements” in 2005. These agreements absolved producers of Clean Air Act (CAA) emissions violations in exchange for participating in the study. Under the agreements, those producers who signed up are required to meet various compliance and reporting deadlines that are triggered by the release of final EEMs.

EPA’s models will be used as a basis for how state and federal agencies regulate air emissions from livestock farms in the future. Pork industry researchers have raised concerns about the accuracy and usability of the models since EPA released early drafts in 2021. At NPPC’s ECP meeting, it became evident that ample time is needed to thoroughly review and test the latest models to ensure they are sound and fair to producers.

NPPC’s take: NPPC is actively engaged with EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance to clarify producers’ legal obligations under the ACAs. To date, EPA’s responses have fallen short. Despite the concerns with the current emissions models, EPA has demonstrated a willingness to collaborate to ensure they are scientifically sound, accurate, and usable.

Why it matters: Pork producers entered the ACAs to advance best-in-class science and to fully understand their environmental impact. Producers who signed ACAs may face compliance deadlines just weeks after the EPA issues a final rule on emissions estimating methodologies.

NPPC will keep members updated on actions that need to be taken.